Parent Teacher Conferences

The 1st quarter ended last Friday, therefore, Parent Teacher Conferences were this week. 

Monday night Keith and I went to the high school to visit Cara's teachers.  Every teacher commented that Cara is quiet in class and does not volunteer an answer unless called upon.  I don't think that we have heard that comment about Cara since Kindergarten or maybe never.  Cara was not a shy person in grade school.  A few teachers said that maybe it is just the transition from grade school to junior high for her.  Every teacher commented that Cara has more potential and needs to be more consistent.  The first quarter has been a transition for Cara.  She has had to learn to balance homework with sports, adjust to a different teacher for each class, and to adjust to a different building. Cara had a good 1st quarter report card.  We hope that the 2nd quarter will go more smoothly.

Wednesday, Keith and I visited the grade school to receive reports on the other three.  First up was Erica.  Ms. Fintowski, Erica's 5th grade teacher, asked that the student come to the conference with the parents so that they could also hear the comments.  Ms. Fintowski made this comment first to us, "Erica is the hardest working student in the fifth grade and her report card is a reflection of her effort!"  Erica had an awesome report card and we were very proud of her!  Erica earned every one of those grades with her hard work and effort.

Then we went to the room right next door to visit with Mrs. Hochstein, Ashlin's 3rd Grade teacher.  Ashlin is by far the most quiet of our 4 children and her teacher commented on how quiet she is.  She said that Ashlin is always paying attention and will answer when called upon with the right answer.  Ashlin is a very good student and things come very easy for her in the classroom.  Mrs. Hochstein is going to continue to work on challenging Ashlin in the classroom.  Ashlin had an exceptional report card!

Lastly was Justin's conference with Mrs. Bowder his Kindergarten teacher.  She commented how she loves having Justin in her classroom and how well behaved he is.  She said that he listens and follows directions.  Then she asked us about how he became so good with numbers.  Justin can count to 200, can write his numbers to 150 and is able to recognize double digit numbers.  She complimented Justin on his good penmanship and good coloring.  Justin is not quite ready to read yet.  He doesn't want to take the time to sound out words, but this will come.

All four of our children are different individuals - physically, academically, personality, etc.  It was a great round of conferences for us as parents.  We are so proud of them!

Take care,
Michelle

Wordless Wednesday

Take care,
Michelle

Wayne Volleyball Tournament

We are going down the homestretch for the volleyball season.  Only two more Saturdays left before Erica's 5th Grade volleyball season is over.  Last weekend, the 5th grade girls had two teams playing in the Wayne Tournament. 

Erica played on the Norfolk Catholic Black team.  They played Lutheran High Northeast Black, Wayne Blue and Battle Creek in pool play.  They came out of pool play winning 4 sets and losing 2 sets.  Then they lost in the first game of the tournament to the same Lutheran High Northeast team again.

I watched all three pool play games before leaving to get back to Norfolk and get Cara to her final junior high tournament of the season.  It was a very disappointing day for the 7th graders losing all of their matches.  Those girls played the worst of the season.  Until they learn to communicate and play as a team, they will not find success as a team.  Cara has this week off before basketball starts next week.

Take care,
Michelle

4-H Achievement Day

Yesterday was the Madison County 4-H Achievement Ceremony.  It is a way to recognize the 4-H youth in the county for a all their work throughout the year and to recognize their achievements in the 4-H program.  4-Hers, 4-H alumni, 4-H leaders and 4-H supporters can be nominated for awards.  Individuals were recognized for being in the program for 5-year, 8-year and 10 years.  Leaders were recognized for 5-year, 10 year and 25 years of helping their 4-H clubs.

Erica with Lee Sherry, County Extension Agent, with her award.

 Individuals are recognized with awards on their record books, most exhibits at the county fair, writing news articles for the 4-H Edition to the newspaper, and for selling advertising ads for the 4-H edition.  Cara and Erica applied for the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Awards.  Erica received a certificate and pin for completing Level 1 - Amethyst.  Cara received a certificate and pin for completing Level 3 - Ruby.  They both had to complete so many 4-H activities to be eligible to receive the award.  The number of activities to complete is based on their age.

Cara and Charli both received the Ruby Award in the 4-H Diamond Cover Program.

The new 4-H year will start with our 4-H club in a few weeks.  After having a few months off from projects and meetings, it is almost time to start again.  Ashlin is ready to join her sisters this next year.  She is finally old enough to exhibit in 4-H as a member and not a Clover Bud at the fair.

Take care,
Michelle 


TGIF

So glad that it is Friday!  It has been a long week.  The kids have a noon out today because today is the last day of the 1st quarter.  End of the quarter means that Keith and I head to Parent/Teacher Conferences next week.  The kids have worked hard all quarter on their homework, so, we are expecting good reports.

 

Another busy weekend is in store for us.  We are heading to Wayne early on Saturday morning for Erica's volleyball tournament.  The tournament is pool play first followed by tournament play.  Cara's volleyball tournament starts at 1:00 in Norfolk.  This is Cara's last games of the season for junior high.  She will miss playing volleyball!  After volleyball is over for the day, we have a wedding to attend.  Then on Sunday, Cara and Erica have 4-H Achievement Night.  They both have applied for Diamond Clover Awards. 

Tonight is also the rival football game between Norfolk Catholic and Pierce.  Plus, Keith is still working many hours on a huge project at work. 

Hope you all have a great weekend!
Michelle

Volleyball Again

Yes, last Saturday we were back in the gym watching volleyball.  Keith and Erica went to Pender with Neuhalfen's for the 5th & 6th Grade tournament.  Ashlin, Justin and I went to Pierce for the 7th & 8th Grade games.

 It was a learning day for the 5th Grade girls.  Many of the teams at this tournament were a combination of 5th & 6th grade girls, therefore, they were playing up.  Our team was all 5th graders.

 It was also a learning day for the 7th Grade girls to always play until the whistle blows.  They had a few controversial calls at the end of their game and lost the last set.  The 7th Grade "B" team won in two sets and the 7th Grade "A" team lost in two sets.  When you only have 9 girls on the 7th Grade team, we don't really have an "A" or "B" team.  Cara played all four sets.

 Erica's serving and bumping has improved so much this fall.  Hopefully, soon she will be ready to start serving overhand, but right now she doesn't have enough muscle to get the ball over.

This is our last week in the gym for junior high volleyball, but we still have a few more Saturdays left with Erica playing in tournaments.  Go Lady Knights!

Take care,
Michelle

Justin Turns 6!

 When you are little, you count the months and then days until your next birthday!  This little boy counted and counted until the day he turned 6 years old on Monday.  He was so excited and ready to go to school on Monday.  He took Rice Krispy treats to share with his class for his birthday.  Every student in the class had to make Justin a birthday card which was very nice.

 As with family tradition, the birthday person gets to pick where the family goes out to eat supper.  Justin picked Big Red Keno.  Good choice Justin because the food is always great there.

 Dad took off work a little early and took Justin shopping for a new bike.  He has been wanting a new bike all summer and he has been riding a pink cast-off from his sisters.  This smile was worth the wait.  He has already been seen cruising around the neighborhood on his new wheels.

Justin has really gotten into Legos lately.  So naturally, he also got a new 3-in-1 Lego kit and a large tote to store his Legos.

Take care,
Michelle